It's not hard to fix Social Security, protect seniors

We constantly hear how Social Security is facing bankruptcy. That simply is only partially true, as the program that benefits seniors and others is often raided by members of Congress and/or the White House.

The President seems to lack discernment, and seemingly does not understand that seniors are discriminated against via their age, and cannot afford cuts in services or dollars. Recently, we utilized cuts from the payroll tax (funds Social Security) to jumpstart the economy, which partially succeeded with low GDP and seemingly low job growth, but the reality is that we can no longer utilize a consumption model to solve our problems, and we should no longer hurt retiring "baby-boomers."

I am going to preach to the choir here, but the reality is that there are two policy changes that could help Social Security, and should finally put to rest those stupid notions of IRAs or other accounts instead of Social Security. First, Social Security taxation caps out at something like $113,700. It is time to raise the cap in taxation to over $200,000 to end any possible shortfall, and you know why that has not happened? Congress and the President are either stupid or are taking care of their rich supporters.

The second policy is to raise the payroll tax by 1 percent, which would be a rare tax rise for Social Security. Mr. President, we do not need a lapdog to face these Republicans, as we have had that with your party for the last 3-4 years in the House. Challenge the status quo, and stop actions that place the burden on seniors, who have in many cases lost their pensions and received no help from a bankrupt federal system that pays 10 to 50 cents on the dollar.

These seniors saw their pensions go belly up in this recession, and need to have Social Security for simple subsistence. No, more catering to a right-wing frenzy! Cater, instead to seniors, and young people who expect to have funding for their retirement.

Bill Weightman

HARDYSTON

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It's not hard to fix Social Security, protect seniors

We constantly hear how Social Security is facing bankruptcy. That simply is only partially true, as the program that benefits seniors and others is often raided by members of Congress and/or the

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